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Gandhi S, Sweeney HL, Hart CC, Han R, Perry CGR. Cardiomyopathy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the Potential for Mitochondrial Therapeutics to Improve Treatment Response. Cells 2024; 13:1168. [PMID: 39056750 PMCID: PMC11274633 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease caused by mutations to the dystrophin gene, resulting in deficiency of dystrophin protein, loss of myofiber integrity in skeletal and cardiac muscle, and eventual cell death and replacement with fibrotic tissue. Pathologic cardiac manifestations occur in nearly every DMD patient, with the development of cardiomyopathy-the leading cause of death-inevitable by adulthood. As early cardiac abnormalities are difficult to detect, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment modalities remain a challenge. There is no cure for DMD; treatment is aimed at delaying disease progression and alleviating symptoms. A comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms is crucial to the development of targeted treatments. While established hypotheses of underlying mechanisms include sarcolemmal weakening, upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and perturbed ion homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be a potential key contributor. Several experimental compounds targeting the skeletal muscle pathology of DMD are in development, but the effects of such agents on cardiac function remain unclear. The synergistic integration of small molecule- and gene-target-based drugs with metabolic-, immune-, or ion balance-enhancing compounds into a combinatorial therapy offers potential for treating dystrophin deficiency-induced cardiomyopathy, making it crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms driving the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Gandhi
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - H. Lee Sweeney
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (H.L.S.); (C.C.H.)
- Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Cora C. Hart
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (H.L.S.); (C.C.H.)
- Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Renzhi Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Christopher G. R. Perry
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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2
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Shalash R, Levi-Ferber M, Cohen C, Dori A, Brodie C, Henis-Korenblit S. Cross-species modeling of muscular dystrophy in Caenorhabditis elegans using patient-derived extracellular vesicles. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050412. [PMID: 38501170 PMCID: PMC11007864 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Reliable disease models are critical for medicine advancement. Here, we established a versatile human disease model system using patient-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), which transfer a pathology-inducing cargo from a patient to a recipient naïve model organism. As a proof of principle, we applied EVs from the serum of patients with muscular dystrophy to Caenorhabditis elegans and demonstrated their capability to induce a spectrum of muscle pathologies, including lifespan shortening and robust impairment of muscle organization and function. This demonstrates that patient-derived EVs can deliver disease-relevant pathologies between species and can be exploited for establishing novel and personalized models of human disease. Such models can potentially be used for disease diagnosis, prognosis, analyzing treatment responses, drug screening and identification of the disease-transmitting cargo of patient-derived EVs and their cellular targets. This system complements traditional genetic disease models and enables modeling of multifactorial diseases and of those not yet associated with specific genetic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rewayd Shalash
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Mor Levi-Ferber
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Coral Cohen
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (BINA), Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Amir Dori
- Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chaya Brodie
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (BINA), Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Sivan Henis-Korenblit
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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3
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Nisaa K, Ben-Zvi A. HLH-1 Modulates Muscle Proteostasis During Caenorhabditis elegans Larval Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:920569. [PMID: 35733850 PMCID: PMC9207508 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.920569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle proteostasis is shaped by the myogenic transcription factor MyoD which regulates the expression of chaperones during muscle differentiation. Whether MyoD can also modulate chaperone expression in terminally differentiated muscle cells remains open. Here we utilized a temperature-sensitive (ts) conditional knockdown nonsense mutation in MyoD ortholog in C. elegans, HLH-1, to ask whether MyoD plays a role in maintaining muscle proteostasis post myogenesis. We showed that hlh-1 is expressed during larval development and that hlh-1 knockdown at the first, second, or third larval stages resulted in severe defects in motility and muscle organization. Motility defects and myofilament organization were rescued when the clearance of hlh-1(ts) mRNA was inhibited, and hlh-1 mRNA levels were restored. Moreover, hlh-1 knockdown modulated the expression of chaperones with putative HLH-1 binding sites in their promoters, supporting HLH-1 role in muscle maintenance during larval development. Finally, mild disruption of hlh-1 expression during development resulted in earlier dysregulation of muscle maintenance and function during adulthood. We propose that the differentiation transcription factor, HLH-1, contributes to muscle maintenance and regulates cell-specific chaperone expression post differentiation. HLH-1 may thus impact muscle proteostasis and potentially the onset and manifestation of sarcopenia.
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4
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Hughes KJ, Vidal-Gadea AG. Methods for Modulating and Measuring Neuromuscular Exertion in C. elegans. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2468:339-356. [PMID: 35320575 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2181-3_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The nematode C. elegans has been used widely to study the genetic and cellular basis of behavior. Yet the laboratory conditions under which it is typically studied offer only a narrow glimpse into the richness of natural behaviors this remarkable animal evolved over 500 million years of evolution. For example, burrowing behavior naturally occurs in the wild, but it remains understudied. Our group studies burrowing in an attempt to expand our understanding of the natural behavioral repertoire of C. elegans. Aside from being an interesting and tractable behavior, burrowing is experimentally useful and permits the titration of the muscular output exerted by C. elegans. Here we describe several burrowing assays that allow the modulation of muscular exertion. We used these to study both adaptive and pathological muscular processes such as muscle hypertrophy and dystrophy, respectively. We believe these assays will be of use for researchers studying the production of locomotion under normal and disease-challenged conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiley J Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
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5
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Animal models for researching approaches to therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:709-725. [PMID: 34409525 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relatively widespread genetic disease which develops as a result of a mutation in the gene DMD encoding dystrophin. In this review, animal models of DMD are described. These models are used in preclinical studies to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease or to develop effective treatments; each animal model has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and zebrafish (sapje) are suitable for large-scale chemical screening of large numbers of small molecules, but their disease phenotype differs from that of mammals. The use of larger animals is important for understanding of the potential efficacy of various treatments for DMD. While mdx mice have their advantages, they exhibit a milder disease phenotype compared to humans or dogs, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of new treatment for DMD. The disease in dogs and pigs is more severe and progresses faster than in mice, but it is more difficult to breed and obtain sufficient numbers of specimens in order to achieve statistically significant results. Moreover, working with large animals is also more labor-intensive. Therefore, when choosing the optimal animal model for research, it is worth considering all the goals and objectives.
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6
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Hrach HC, O'Brien S, Steber HS, Newbern J, Rawls A, Mangone M. Transcriptome changes during the initiation and progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Caenorhabditis elegans. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:1607-1623. [PMID: 32227114 PMCID: PMC7322572 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, X-linked disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. The condition is driven by nonsense and missense mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to instability of the sarcolemma and skeletal muscle necrosis and atrophy. Resulting changes in muscle-specific gene expression that take place in dystrophin's absence remain largely uncharacterized, as they are potentially obscured by the chronic inflammation elicited by muscle damage in humans. Caenorhabditis elegans possess a mild inflammatory response that is not active in the muscle, and lack a satellite cell equivalent. This allows for the characterization of the transcriptome rearrangements affecting disease progression independently of inflammation and regeneration. In effort to better understand these dynamics, we have isolated and sequenced body muscle-specific transcriptomes from C. elegans lacking functional dystrophin at distinct stages of disease progression. We have identified an upregulation of genes involved in mitochondrial function early in disease progression, and an upregulation of genes related to muscle repair in later stages. Our results suggest that in C. elegans, dystrophin may have a signaling role early in development, and its absence may activate compensatory mechanisms that counteract muscle degradation caused by loss of dystrophin. We have also developed a temperature-based screening method for synthetic paralysis that can be used to rapidly identify genetic partners of dystrophin. Our results allow for the comprehensive identification of transcriptome changes that potentially serve as independent drivers of disease progression and may in turn allow for the identification of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather C Hrach
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA.,Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Shannon O'Brien
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.,Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, 751 E Lemon Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Hannah S Steber
- Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, 751 E Lemon Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Jason Newbern
- School of Life Sciences, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA
| | - Alan Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA
| | - Marco Mangone
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
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7
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Canonico F, Chirivi M, Maiullari F, Milan M, Rizzi R, Arcudi A, Galli M, Pane M, Gowran A, Pompilio G, Mercuri E, Crea F, Bearzi C, D'Amario D. Focus on the road to modelling cardiomyopathy in muscular dystrophy. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:1872-1884. [PMID: 34254111 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the DMD gene, which codes for the protein dystrophin, cause forms of dystrophinopathies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X-linked disease. Cardiomyopathy linked to DMD mutations is becoming the leading cause of death in patients with dystrophinopathy. Since phenotypic pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood, the improvement and development of new disease models, considering their relative advantages and disadvantages, is essential. The application of genetic engineering approaches on induced pluripotent stem cells, such as gene editing technology, enables the development of physiologically relevant human cell models for in vitro dystrophinopathy studies. The combination of induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiovascular cell types and 3 D bioprinting technologies hold great promise for the study of dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy. This combined approach enables the assessment of responses to physical or chemical stimuli, and the influence of pharmaceutical approaches. The critical objective of in vitro microphysiological systems is to more accurately reproduce the microenvironment observed in vivo. Ground-breaking methodology involving the connection of multiple microphysiological systems comprised of different tissues would represent a move toward precision body-on-chip disease modelling could lead to a critical expansion in what is known about inter-organ responses to disease and novel therapies that have the potential to replace animal models. In this review, we will focus on the generation, development, and application of current cellular, animal and potential for bio-printed models, in the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy in the direction of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Canonico
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Maila Chirivi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Maiullari
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Marika Milan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.,Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Arcudi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Galli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Pane
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Aoife Gowran
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Crea
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Bearzi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.,Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (IRGB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico D'Amario
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
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8
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Sofela S, Sahloul S, Song YA. Biophysical analysis of drug efficacy on C. elegans models for neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246496. [PMID: 34115761 PMCID: PMC8195402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a powerful model organism for drug screening due to its cellular simplicity, genetic amenability and homology to humans combined with its small size and low cost. Currently, high-throughput drug screening assays are mostly based on image-based phenotyping with the focus on morphological-descriptive traits not exploiting key locomotory parameters of this multicellular model with muscles such as its thrashing force, a critical biophysical parameter when screening drugs for muscle-related diseases. In this study, we demonstrated the use of a micropillar-based force assay chip in combination with a fluorescence assay to evaluate the efficacy of various drugs currently used in treatment of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. Using this two-dimensional approach, we showed that the force assay was generally more sensitive in measuring efficacy of drug treatment in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson's Disease mutant worms as well as partly in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis model. These results underline the potential of our force assay chip in screening of potential drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases when combined with a fluorescence assay in a two-dimensional analysis approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Sofela
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sarah Sahloul
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yong-Ak Song
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
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9
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Ellwood RA, Piasecki M, Szewczyk NJ. Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094891. [PMID: 34063069 PMCID: PMC8125261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has been used extensively to enhance our understanding of the human neuromuscular disorder Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). With new arising clinically relevant models, technologies and treatments, there is a need to reconcile the literature and collate the key findings associated with this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Ellwood
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (R.A.E.); (M.P.)
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
| | - Mathew Piasecki
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (R.A.E.); (M.P.)
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
| | - Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (R.A.E.); (M.P.)
- National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurologic Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Modelling Neuromuscular Diseases in the Age of Precision Medicine. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040178. [PMID: 33080928 PMCID: PMC7712305 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in knowledge resulting from the sequencing of the human genome, coupled with technological developments and a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms of pathogenesis are paving the way for a growing role of precision medicine in the treatment of a number of human conditions. The goal of precision medicine is to identify and deliver effective therapeutic approaches based on patients’ genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. With the exception of cancer, neurological diseases provide the most promising opportunity to achieve treatment personalisation, mainly because of accelerated progress in gene discovery, deep clinical phenotyping, and biomarker availability. Developing reproducible, predictable and reliable disease models will be key to the rapid delivery of the anticipated benefits of precision medicine. Here we summarize the current state of the art of preclinical models for neuromuscular diseases, with particular focus on their use and limitations to predict safety and efficacy treatment outcomes in clinical trials.
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11
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Bulterijs S, Braeckman BP. Phenotypic Screening in C. elegans as a Tool for the Discovery of New Geroprotective Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E164. [PMID: 32722365 PMCID: PMC7463874 DOI: 10.3390/ph13080164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Population aging is one of the largest challenges of the 21st century. As more people live to advanced ages, the prevalence of age-related diseases and disabilities will increase placing an ever larger burden on our healthcare system. A potential solution to this conundrum is to develop treatments that prevent, delay or reduce the severity of age-related diseases by decreasing the rate of the aging process. This ambition has been accomplished in model organisms through dietary, genetic and pharmacological interventions. The pharmacological approaches hold the greatest opportunity for successful translation to the clinic. The discovery of such pharmacological interventions in aging requires high-throughput screening strategies. However, the majority of screens performed for geroprotective drugs in C. elegans so far are rather low throughput. Therefore, the development of high-throughput screening strategies is of utmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Bulterijs
- Laboratory of Aging Physiology and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart P. Braeckman
- Laboratory of Aging Physiology and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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12
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Abstract
Skeletal muscle fibres are multinucleated cells that contain postmitotic nuclei (i.e. they are no longer able to divide) and perform muscle contraction. They are formed by fusion of muscle precursor cells, and grow into elongating myofibres by the addition of further precursor cells, called satellite cells, which are also responsible for regeneration following injury. Skeletal muscle regeneration occurs in most muscular dystrophies in response to necrosis of muscle fibres. However, the complex environment within dystrophic skeletal muscle, which includes inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and fibro-adipogenic cells, together with the genetic background of the in vivo model and the muscle being studied, complicates the interpretation of laboratory studies on muscular dystrophies. Many genes are expressed in satellite cells and in other tissues, which makes it difficult to determine the molecular cause of various types of muscular dystrophies. Here, and in the accompanying poster, we discuss our current knowledge of the cellular mechanisms that govern the growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle, and highlight the defects in satellite cell function that give rise to muscular dystrophies. Summary: The mechanisms of skeletal muscle development, growth and regeneration are described. We discuss whether these processes are dysregulated in inherited muscle diseases and identify pathways that may represent therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Morgan
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK .,National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Terence Partridge
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.,National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK.,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA
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13
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Wasala NB, Chen SJ, Duan D. Duchenne muscular dystrophy animal models for high-throughput drug discovery and precision medicine. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:443-456. [PMID: 32000537 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1718100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked handicapping disease due to the loss of an essential muscle protein dystrophin. Dystrophin-null animals have been extensively used to study disease mechanisms and to develop experimental therapeutics. Despite decades of research, however, treatment options for DMD remain very limited.Areas covered: High-throughput high-content screening and precision medicine offer exciting new opportunities. Here, the authors review animal models that are suitable for these studies.Expert opinion: Nonmammalian models (worm, fruit fly, and zebrafish) are particularly attractive for cost-effective large-scale drug screening. Several promising lead compounds have been discovered using these models. Precision medicine for DMD aims at developing mutation-specific therapies such as exon-skipping and genome editing. To meet these needs, models with patient-like mutations have been established in different species. Models that harbor hotspot mutations are very attractive because the drugs developed in these models can bring mutation-specific therapies to a large population of patients. Humanized hDMD mice carry the entire human dystrophin gene in the mouse genome. Reagents developed in the hDMD mouse-based models are directly translatable to human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalinda B Wasala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department of Physics, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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14
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Sofela S, Sahloul S, Stubbs C, Orozaliev A, Refai FS, Esmaeel AM, Fahs H, Abdelgawad MO, Gunsalus KC, Song YA. Phenotyping of the thrashing forces exerted by partially immobilized C. elegans using elastomeric micropillar arrays. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:3685-3696. [PMID: 31576392 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00660e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As a simple model organism, C. elegans plays an important role in gaining insight into the relationship between bodily thrashing forces and biological effects, such as disease and aging, or physical stimuli, like touch and light. Due to their similar length scale, microfluidic chips have been extensively explored for use in various biological studies involving C. elegans. However, a formidable challenge still exists due to the complexity of integrating external stimuli (chemical, mechanical or optical) with free-moving worms and subsequent imaging on the chip. In this report, we use a microfluidic device to partially immobilize a worm, which allows for measurements of the relative changes in the thrashing force under different assay conditions. Using a device adapted to the natural escape-like coiling response of a worm to immobilization, we have quantified the relative changes in the thrashing force during different developmental stages (L1, L3, L4, and young adult) and in response to various glucose concentrations and drug treatment. Our findings showed a loss of thrashing force following the introduction of glucose into a wild type worm culture that could be reversed upon treatment with the type 2 diabetes drug metformin. A morphological study of the actin filament structures in the body wall muscles provided supporting evidence for the force measurement data. Finally, we demonstrated the multiplexing capabilities of our device through recording the thrashing activities of eight worms simultaneously. The multiplexing capabilities and facile imaging available using our device open the door for high-throughput neuromuscular studies using C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Sofela
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. and Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Sahloul
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | - Ajymurat Orozaliev
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Fathima Shaffra Refai
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Hala Fahs
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Omar Abdelgawad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Assiut University, Egypt and Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kristin C Gunsalus
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yong-Ak Song
- Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. and Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, USA
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15
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Physical exertion exacerbates decline in the musculature of an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:3508-3517. [PMID: 30755520 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811379116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder caused by loss of the protein dystrophin. In humans, DMD has early onset, causes developmental delays, muscle necrosis, loss of ambulation, and death. Current animal models have been challenged by their inability to model the early onset and severity of the disease. It remains unresolved whether increased sarcoplasmic calcium observed in dystrophic muscles follows or leads the mechanical insults caused by the muscle's disrupted contractile machinery. This knowledge has important implications for patients, as potential physiotherapeutic treatments may either help or exacerbate symptoms, depending on how dystrophic muscles differ from healthy ones. Recently we showed how burrowing dystrophic (dys-1) C. elegans recapitulate many salient phenotypes of DMD, including loss of mobility and muscle necrosis. Here, we report that dys-1 worms display early pathogenesis, including dysregulated sarcoplasmic calcium and increased lethality. Sarcoplasmic calcium dysregulation in dys-1 worms precedes overt structural phenotypes (e.g., mitochondrial, and contractile machinery damage) and can be mitigated by reducing calmodulin expression. To learn how dystrophic musculature responds to altered physical activity, we cultivated dys-1 animals in environments requiring high intensity or high frequency of muscle exertion during locomotion. We find that several muscular parameters (e.g., size) improve with increased activity. However, longevity in dystrophic animals was negatively associated with muscular exertion, regardless of effort duration. The high degree of phenotypic conservation between dystrophic worms and humans provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into the pathology of the disease as well as the initial assessment of potential treatment strategies.
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16
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Hewitt JE, Pollard AK, Lesanpezeshki L, Deane CS, Gaffney CJ, Etheridge T, Szewczyk NJ, Vanapalli SA. Muscle strength deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction in a muscular dystrophy model of Caenorhabditis elegans and its functional response to drugs. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm036137. [PMID: 30396907 PMCID: PMC6307913 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.036137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle strength is a key clinical parameter used to monitor the progression of human muscular dystrophies, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. Although Caenorhabditis elegans is an established genetic model for studying the mechanisms and treatments of muscular dystrophies, analogous strength-based measurements in this disease model are lacking. Here, we describe the first demonstration of the direct measurement of muscular strength in dystrophin-deficient C. elegans mutants using a micropillar-based force measurement system called NemaFlex. We show that dys-1(eg33) mutants, but not dys-1(cx18) mutants, are significantly weaker than their wild-type counterparts in early adulthood, cannot thrash in liquid at wild-type rates, display mitochondrial network fragmentation in the body wall muscles, and have an abnormally high baseline mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, treatment with prednisone, the standard treatment for muscular dystrophy in humans, and melatonin both improve muscular strength, thrashing rate and mitochondrial network integrity in dys-1(eg33), and prednisone treatment also returns baseline respiration to normal levels. Thus, our results demonstrate that the dys-1(eg33) strain is more clinically relevant than dys-1(cx18) for muscular dystrophy studies in C. elegans This finding, in combination with the novel NemaFlex platform, can be used as an efficient workflow for identifying candidate compounds that can improve strength in the C. elegans muscular dystrophy model. Our study also lays the foundation for further probing of the mechanism of muscle function loss in dystrophin-deficient C. elegans, leading to knowledge translatable to human muscular dystrophy.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Hewitt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Amelia K Pollard
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham & National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Derby, UK
| | - Leila Lesanpezeshki
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Colleen S Deane
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Christopher J Gaffney
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
- Lancaster Medical School, Furness College, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK
| | - Timothy Etheridge
- Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Nathaniel J Szewczyk
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham & National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Derby, UK
| | - Siva A Vanapalli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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17
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Scholtes C, Bellemin S, Martin E, Carre-Pierrat M, Mollereau B, Gieseler K, Walter L. DRP-1-mediated apoptosis induces muscle degeneration in dystrophin mutants. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7354. [PMID: 29743663 PMCID: PMC5943356 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25727-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are double-membrane subcellular organelles with highly conserved metabolic functions including ATP production. Mitochondria shapes change continually through the combined actions of fission and fusion events rendering mitochondrial network very dynamic. Mitochondria are largely implicated in pathologies and mitochondrial dynamics is often disrupted upon muscle degeneration in various models. Currently, the exact roles of mitochondria in the molecular mechanisms that lead to muscle degeneration remain poorly understood. Here we report a role for DRP-1 in regulating apoptosis induced by dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration. We found that: (i) dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration was accompanied by a drastic increase in mitochondrial fragmentation that can be rescued by genetic manipulations of mitochondrial dynamics (ii) the loss of function of the fission gene drp-1 or the overexpression of the fusion genes eat-3 and fzo-1 provoked a reduction of muscle degeneration and an improved mobility of dystrophin mutant worms (iii) the functions of DRP-1 in apoptosis and of others apoptosis executors are important for dystrophin-dependent muscle cell death (iv) DRP-1-mediated apoptosis is also likely to induce age-dependent loss of muscle cell. Collectively, our findings point toward a mechanism involving mitochondrial dynamics to respond to trigger(s) of muscle degeneration via apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Scholtes
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, 69007, France.,NeuroMyoGene Institute (INMG), Universite Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Stéphanie Bellemin
- NeuroMyoGene Institute (INMG), Universite Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Edwige Martin
- NeuroMyoGene Institute (INMG), Universite Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Maïté Carre-Pierrat
- Biology of Caenorhabditis elegans facility, Universite Lyon 1, UMS3421, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Bertrand Mollereau
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, 69007, France
| | - Kathrin Gieseler
- NeuroMyoGene Institute (INMG), Universite Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, Lyon 69008, France.
| | - Ludivine Walter
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, 69007, France.
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18
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Mergoud dit Lamarche A, Molin L, Pierson L, Mariol M, Bessereau J, Gieseler K, Solari F. UNC-120/SRF independently controls muscle aging and lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Aging Cell 2018; 17:e12713. [PMID: 29314608 PMCID: PMC5847867 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is commonly defined as the loss of global homeostasis, which results from progressive alteration of all organs function. This model is currently challenged by recent data showing that interventions that extend lifespan do not always increase the overall fitness of the organism. These data suggest the existence of tissue-specific factors that regulate the pace of aging in a cell-autonomous manner. Here, we investigated aging of Caenorhabditis elegans striated muscles at the subcellular and the physiological level. Our data show that muscle aging is characterized by a dramatic decrease in the expression of genes encoding proteins required for muscle contraction, followed by a change in mitochondria morphology, and an increase in autophagosome number. Myofilaments, however, remain unaffected during aging. We demonstrated that the conserved transcription factor UNC-120/SRF regulates muscle aging biomarkers. Interestingly, the role of UNC-120/SRF in the control of muscle aging can be dissociated from its broader effect on lifespan. In daf-2/insulin/IGF1 receptor mutants, which exhibit a delayed appearance of muscle aging biomarkers and are long-lived, disruption of unc-120 accelerates muscle aging but does not suppress the lifespan phenotype of daf-2 mutant. Conversely, unc-120 overexpression delays muscle aging but does not increase lifespan. Overall, we demonstrate that UNC-120/SRF controls the pace of muscle aging in a cell-autonomous manner downstream of the insulin/IGF1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Mergoud dit Lamarche
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
| | - Laurent Molin
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
| | - Laura Pierson
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
| | - Marie‐Christine Mariol
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
| | - Jean‐Louis Bessereau
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
- Hospices Civils de LyonFaculté de Médecine Lyon EstLyonFrance
| | - Kathrin Gieseler
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
| | - Florence Solari
- University of LyonUniversity of Lyon1 Claude Bernard Lyon1NeuroMyoGene InstituteCNRS UMR5310INSERM U1217LyonFrance
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19
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Xu D, Gao Y, Guo L, Lin C, Sun Y. Effect of dys-1 mutation on gene expression profile in space-flown Caenorhabditis elegans. Muscle Nerve 2018; 58:114-122. [PMID: 29346705 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dystrophin-like dys-1 gene expression increases in the body wall muscles of Caenorhabditis elegans after spaceflight (SF). Here we used a dys-1(cx18) mutant to analyze the molecular adaptive responses of C. elegans to SF. METHODS DNA microarrays were performed to identify differentially expressed genes between wild-type (WT) and dys-1 mutant worms after SF. We performed Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses, predicted human diseases, and screened out key genes for human muscle diseases with NextBio. RESULTS Gene expression was less affected by SF in the dys-1 mutant than in the WT worms. The dys-1 mutation influenced neuromuscular gene expression (neuropeptide genes, muscle-related genes, and dystrophin-related genes) under SF conditions, among which 15 genes were specifically regulated by dys-1. NextBio analysis predicted that cdka-1, lev-11, unc-27, and unc-94 genes might play critical roles in muscle atrophy. DISCUSSION dys-1 Potentially regulates the neuromuscular system in space. Muscle Nerve, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1 Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Gao
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1 Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
- Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Guo
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1 Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenggang Lin
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1 Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeqing Sun
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1 Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
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20
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Modulation of Protein Quality Control and Proteasome to Autophagy Switch in Immortalized Myoblasts from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010178. [PMID: 29316663 PMCID: PMC5796127 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of proteome integrity is of primary importance in post-mitotic tissues such as muscle cells; thus, protein quality control mechanisms must be carefully regulated to ensure their optimal efficiency, a failure of these processes being associated with various muscular disorders. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophies and is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Protein quality control modulations have been diversely observed in degenerating muscles of patients suffering from DMD or in animal models of the disease. In this study, we investigated whether modulations of protein quality control mechanisms already pre-exist in undifferentiated myoblasts originating from DMD patients. We report for the first time that the absence of dystrophin in human myoblasts is associated with protein aggregation stress characterized by an increase of protein aggregates. This stress is combined with BAG1 to BAG3 switch, NFκB activation and up-regulation of BAG3/HSPB8 complexes that ensure preferential routing of misfolded/aggregated proteins to autophagy rather than to deficient 26S proteasome. In this context, restoration of pre-existing alterations of protein quality control processes might represent an alternative strategy for DMD therapies.
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21
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Ryu D, Zhang H, Ropelle ER, Sorrentino V, Mázala DAG, Mouchiroud L, Marshall PL, Campbell MD, Ali AS, Knowels GM, Bellemin S, Iyer SR, Wang X, Gariani K, Sauve AA, Cantó C, Conley KE, Walter L, Lovering RM, Chin ER, Jasmin BJ, Marcinek DJ, Menzies KJ, Auwerx J. NAD+ repletion improves muscle function in muscular dystrophy and counters global PARylation. Sci Transl Med 2017; 8:361ra139. [PMID: 27798264 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf5504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases are often caused by inherited mutations that lead to progressive skeletal muscle weakness and degeneration. In diverse populations of normal healthy mice, we observed correlations between the abundance of mRNA transcripts related to mitochondrial biogenesis, the dystrophin-sarcoglycan complex, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis, consistent with a potential role for the essential cofactor NAD+ in protecting muscle from metabolic and structural degeneration. Furthermore, the skeletal muscle transcriptomes of patients with Duchene's muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other muscle diseases were enriched for various poly[adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-ribose] polymerases (PARPs) and for nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), enzymes that are major consumers of NAD+ and are involved in pleiotropic events, including inflammation. In the mdx mouse model of DMD, we observed significant reductions in muscle NAD+ levels, concurrent increases in PARP activity, and reduced expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme for NAD+ biosynthesis. Replenishing NAD+ stores with dietary nicotinamide riboside supplementation improved muscle function and heart pathology in mdx and mdx/Utr-/- mice and reversed pathology in Caenorhabditis elegans models of DMD. The effects of NAD+ repletion in mdx mice relied on the improvement in mitochondrial function and structural protein expression (α-dystrobrevin and δ-sarcoglycan) and on the reductions in general poly(ADP)-ribosylation, inflammation, and fibrosis. In combination, these studies suggest that the replenishment of NAD+ may benefit patients with muscular dystrophies or other neuromuscular degenerative conditions characterized by the PARP/NNMT gene expression signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongryeol Ryu
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eduardo R Ropelle
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Exercise, School of Applied Science, University of Campinas, CEP 13484-350 Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vincenzo Sorrentino
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Davi A G Mázala
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Laurent Mouchiroud
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philip L Marshall
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute and Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Matthew D Campbell
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Amir Safi Ali
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gary M Knowels
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stéphanie Bellemin
- Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5534, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Shama R Iyer
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Karim Gariani
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anthony A Sauve
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical School, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Carles Cantó
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kevin E Conley
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ludivine Walter
- Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5534, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Richard M Lovering
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Eva R Chin
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - David J Marcinek
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Keir J Menzies
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute and Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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22
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A Differentiation Transcription Factor Establishes Muscle-Specific Proteostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006531. [PMID: 28036392 PMCID: PMC5201269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Safeguarding the proteome is central to the health of the cell. In multi-cellular organisms, the composition of the proteome, and by extension, protein-folding requirements, varies between cells. In agreement, chaperone network composition differs between tissues. Here, we ask how chaperone expression is regulated in a cell type-specific manner and whether cellular differentiation affects chaperone expression. Our bioinformatics analyses show that the myogenic transcription factor HLH-1 (MyoD) can bind to the promoters of chaperone genes expressed or required for the folding of muscle proteins. To test this experimentally, we employed HLH-1 myogenic potential to genetically modulate cellular differentiation of Caenorhabditis elegans embryonic cells by ectopically expressing HLH-1 in all cells of the embryo and monitoring chaperone expression. We found that HLH-1-dependent myogenic conversion specifically induced the expression of putative HLH-1-regulated chaperones in differentiating muscle cells. Moreover, disrupting the putative HLH-1-binding sites on ubiquitously expressed daf-21(Hsp90) and muscle-enriched hsp-12.2(sHsp) promoters abolished their myogenic-dependent expression. Disrupting HLH-1 function in muscle cells reduced the expression of putative HLH-1-regulated chaperones and compromised muscle proteostasis during and after embryogenesis. In turn, we found that modulating the expression of muscle chaperones disrupted the folding and assembly of muscle proteins and thus, myogenesis. Moreover, muscle-specific over-expression of the DNAJB6 homolog DNJ-24, a limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-associated chaperone, disrupted the muscle chaperone network and exposed synthetic motility defects. We propose that cellular differentiation could establish a proteostasis network dedicated to the folding and maintenance of the muscle proteome. Such cell-specific proteostasis networks can explain the selective vulnerability that many diseases of protein misfolding exhibit even when the misfolded protein is ubiquitously expressed. Molecular chaperones protect proteins from misfolding and aggregation. In multi-cellular organisms, the composition and expression levels of chaperones vary between tissues. However, little is known of how such differential expression is regulated. We hypothesized that the cellular differentiation that regulates the cell-type specific expression program may be involved in establishing a cell-type specific chaperone network. To test this possibility, we addressed the myogenic commitment transcription factor HLH-1 (CeMyoD) that converts embryonic cells to muscle cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. We demonstrated that HLH-1 regulates the expression of muscle chaperones during muscle differentiation. Moreover, we showed that HLH-1-dependent expression of chaperones is required for embryonic development and muscle function. We propose that cellular differentiation results in cell-specific differences in the chaperone network that may be detrimental in terms of the susceptibility of neurons and muscle cells to protein misfolding diseases.
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23
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Beron C, Vidal-Gadea AG, Cohn J, Parikh A, Hwang G, Pierce-Shimomura JT. The burrowing behavior of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: a new assay for the study of neuromuscular disorders. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 14:357-68. [PMID: 25868909 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been a powerful model system for the study of key muscle genes relevant to human neuromuscular function and disorders. The behavioral robustness of C. elegans, however, has hindered its use in the study of certain neuromuscular disorders because many worm models of human disease show only subtle phenotypes while crawling. By contrast, in their natural habitat, C. elegans likely spends much of the time burrowing through the soil matrix. We developed a burrowing assay to challenge motor output by placing worms in agar-filled pipettes of increasing densities. We find that burrowing involves distinct kinematics and turning strategies from crawling that vary with the properties of the substrate. We show that mutants mimicking Duchenne muscular dystrophy by lacking a functional ortholog of the dystrophin protein, DYS-1, crawl normally but are severely impaired in burrowing. Muscular degeneration in the dys-1 mutant is hastened and exacerbated by burrowing, while wild type shows no such damage. To test whether neuromuscular integrity might be compensated genetically in the dys-1 mutant, we performed a genetic screen and isolated several suppressor mutants with proficient burrowing in a dys-1 mutant background. Further study of burrowing in C. elegans will enhance the study of diseases affecting neuromuscular integrity, and will provide insights into the natural behavior of this and other nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Beron
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Brain, Behavior & Evolution; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, Center for Learning and Memory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Brouilly N, Lecroisey C, Martin E, Pierson L, Mariol MC, Qadota H, Labouesse M, Streichenberger N, Mounier N, Gieseler K. Ultra-structural time-course study in the C. elegans model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy highlights a crucial role for sarcomere-anchoring structures and sarcolemma integrity in the earliest steps of the muscle degeneration process. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6428-45. [PMID: 26358775 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration due to mutations in the dystrophin gene. In spite of great advances in the design of curative treatments, most patients currently receive palliative therapies with steroid molecules such as prednisone or deflazacort thought to act through their immunosuppressive properties. These molecules only slightly slow down the progression of the disease and lead to severe side effects. Fundamental research is still needed to reveal the mechanisms involved in the disease that could be exploited as therapeutic targets. By studying a Caenorhabditis elegans model for DMD, we show here that dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration is likely to be cell autonomous and affects the muscle cells the most involved in locomotion. We demonstrate that muscle degeneration is dependent on exercise and force production. Exhaustive studies by electron microscopy allowed establishing for the first time the chronology of subcellular events occurring during the entire process of muscle degeneration. This chronology highlighted the crucial role for dystrophin in stabilizing sarcomeric anchoring structures and the sarcolemma. Our results suggest that the disruption of sarcomeric anchoring structures and sarcolemma integrity, observed at the onset of the muscle degeneration process, triggers subcellular consequences that lead to muscle cell death. An ultra-structural analysis of muscle biopsies from DMD patients suggested that the chronology of subcellular events established in C. elegans models the pathogenesis in human. Finally, we found that the loss of sarcolemma integrity was greatly reduced after prednisone treatment suggesting a role for this molecule in plasma membrane stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Brouilly
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Claire Lecroisey
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Edwige Martin
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Laura Pierson
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marie-Christine Mariol
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Hiroshi Qadota
- Department of Pathology, Emory University, 615 Michael Street, Whitehead 165, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Michel Labouesse
- Intitut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UMR 7104 - Inserm U 964, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch CEDEX, France and
| | | | - Nicole Mounier
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Kathrin Gieseler
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne, France, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie moléculaires et cellulaires, CNRS UMR 5534, 16 rue Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France,
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25
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Ono S. Regulation of structure and function of sarcomeric actin filaments in striated muscle of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2015; 297:1548-59. [PMID: 25125169 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been used as a valuable system to study structure and function of striated muscle. The body wall muscle of C. elegans is obliquely striated muscle with highly organized sarcomeric assembly of actin, myosin, and other accessory proteins. Genetic and molecular biological studies in C. elegans have identified a number of genes encoding structural and regulatory components for the muscle contractile apparatuses, and many of them have counterparts in mammalian cardiac and skeletal muscles or striated muscles in other invertebrates. Applicability of genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry has made C. elegans an excellent system to study mechanisms of muscle contractility and assembly and maintenance of myofibrils. This review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms of structure and function of actin filaments in the C. elegans body wall muscle. Sarcomeric actin filaments in C. elegans muscle are associated with the troponin-tropomyosin system that regulates the actin-myosin interaction. Proteins that bind to the side and ends of actin filaments support ordered assembly of thin filaments. Furthermore, regulators of actin dynamics play important roles in initial assembly, growth, and maintenance of sarcomeres. The knowledge acquired in C. elegans can serve as bases to understand the basic mechanisms of muscle structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichiro Ono
- Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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26
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Gaffney CJ, Bass JJ, Barratt TF, Szewczyk NJ. Methods to assess subcellular compartments of muscle in C. elegans. J Vis Exp 2014:e52043. [PMID: 25489753 PMCID: PMC4354018 DOI: 10.3791/52043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle is a dynamic tissue that responds to changes in nutrition, exercise, and disease state. The loss of muscle mass and function with disease and age are significant public health burdens. We currently understand little about the genetic regulation of muscle health with disease or age. The nematode C. elegans is an established model for understanding the genomic regulation of biological processes of interest. This worm’s body wall muscles display a large degree of homology with the muscles of higher metazoan species. Since C. elegans is a transparent organism, the localization of GFP to mitochondria and sarcomeres allows visualization of these structures in vivo. Similarly, feeding animals cationic dyes, which accumulate based on the existence of a mitochondrial membrane potential, allows the assessment of mitochondrial function in vivo. These methods, as well as assessment of muscle protein homeostasis, are combined with assessment of whole animal muscle function, in the form of movement assays, to allow correlation of sub-cellular defects with functional measures of muscle performance. Thus, C. elegans provides a powerful platform with which to assess the impact of mutations, gene knockdown, and/or chemical compounds upon muscle structure and function. Lastly, as GFP, cationic dyes, and movement assays are assessed non-invasively, prospective studies of muscle structure and function can be conducted across the whole life course and this at present cannot be easily investigated in vivo in any other organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph J Bass
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Nottingham
| | - Thomas F Barratt
- MRC/ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Nottingham
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27
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O'Reilly LP, Benson JA, Cummings EE, Perlmutter DH, Silverman GA, Pak SC. Worming our way to novel drug discovery with the Caenorhabditis elegans proteostasis network, stress response and insulin-signaling pathways. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2014; 9:1021-32. [PMID: 24998976 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2014.930125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many human diseases result from a failure of a single protein to achieve the correct folding and tertiary conformation. These so-called 'conformational diseases' involve diverse proteins and distinctive cellular pathologies. They all engage the proteostasis network (PN), to varying degrees in an attempt to mange cellular stress and restore protein homeostasis. The insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway is a master regulator of cellular stress response, which is implicated in regulating components of the PN. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on novel approaches to target conformational diseases. The authors discuss the evidence supporting the involvement of the IIS pathway in modulating the PN and regulating proteostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Furthermore, they review previous PN and IIS drug screens and explore the possibility of using C. elegans for whole organism-based drug discovery for modulators of IIS-proteostasis pathways. EXPERT OPINION An alternative approach to develop individualized therapy for each conformational disease is to modulate the global PN. The involvement of the IIS pathway in regulating longevity and response to a variety of stresses is well documented. Increasing data now provide evidence for the close association between the IIS and the PN pathways. The authors believe that high-throughput screening campaigns, which target the C. elegans IIS pathway, may identify drugs that are efficacious in treating numerous conformational diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda P O'Reilly
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and Magee-Womens Hospital Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics , 4401 Penn Avenue, Rangos Room 7131, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 , USA +1 412 692 9457 ; +1 412 641 1844 ;
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O'Reilly LP, Luke CJ, Perlmutter DH, Silverman GA, Pak SC. C. elegans in high-throughput drug discovery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2014; 69-70:247-53. [PMID: 24333896 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans has been proven to be a useful model organism for investigating molecular and cellular aspects of numerous human diseases. More recently, investigators have explored the use of this organism as a tool for drug discovery. Although earlier drug screens were labor-intensive and low in throughput, recent advances in high-throughput liquid workflows, imaging platforms and data analysis software have made C. elegans a viable option for automated high-throughput drug screens. This review will outline the evolution of C. elegans-based drug screening, discuss the inherent challenges of using C. elegans, and highlight recent technological advances that have paved the way for future drug screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda P O'Reilly
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224,USA
| | - Cliff J Luke
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224,USA
| | - David H Perlmutter
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224,USA
| | - Gary A Silverman
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224,USA
| | - Stephen C Pak
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224,USA.
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29
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Giacomotto J, Brouilly N, Walter L, Mariol MC, Berger J, Ségalat L, Becker TS, Currie PD, Gieseler K. Chemical genetics unveils a key role of mitochondrial dynamics, cytochrome c release and IP3R activity in muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 22:4562-78. [PMID: 23804750 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. The subcellular mechanisms of DMD remain poorly understood and there is currently no curative treatment available. Using a Caenorhabditis elegans model for DMD as a pharmacologic and genetic tool, we found that cyclosporine A (CsA) reduces muscle degeneration at low dose and acts, at least in part, through a mitochondrial cyclophilin D, CYN-1. We thus hypothesized that CsA acts on mitochondrial permeability modulation through cyclophilin D inhibition. Mitochondrial patterns and dynamics were analyzed, which revealed dramatic mitochondrial fragmentation not only in dystrophic nematodes, but also in a zebrafish model for DMD. This abnormal mitochondrial fragmentation occurs before any obvious sign of degeneration can be detected. Moreover, we demonstrate that blocking/delaying mitochondrial fragmentation by knocking down the fission-promoting gene drp-1 reduces muscle degeneration and improves locomotion abilities of dystrophic nematodes. Further experiments revealed that cytochrome c is involved in muscle degeneration in C. elegans and seems to act, at least in part, through an interaction with the inositol trisphosphate receptor calcium channel, ITR-1. Altogether, our findings reveal that mitochondria play a key role in the early process of muscle degeneration and may be a target of choice for the design of novel therapeutics for DMD. In addition, our results provide the first indication in the nematode that (i) mitochondrial permeability transition can occur and (ii) cytochrome c can act in cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Giacomotto
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
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30
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Lecroisey C, Brouilly N, Qadota H, Mariol MC, Rochette NC, Martin E, Benian GM, Ségalat L, Mounier N, Gieseler K. ZYX-1, the unique zyxin protein of Caenorhabditis elegans, is involved in dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:1232-49. [PMID: 23427270 PMCID: PMC3623643 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e12-09-0679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, zyxin is a LIM-domain protein belonging to a family composed of seven members. We show that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has a unique zyxin-like protein, ZYX-1, which is the orthologue of the vertebrate zyxin subfamily composed of zyxin, migfilin, TRIP6, and LPP. The ZYX-1 protein is expressed in the striated body-wall muscles and localizes at dense bodies/Z-discs and M-lines, as well as in the nucleus. In yeast two-hybrid assays ZYX-1 interacts with several known dense body and M-line proteins, including DEB-1 (vinculin) and ATN-1 (α-actinin). ZYX-1 is mainly localized in the middle region of the dense body/Z-disk, overlapping the apical and basal regions containing, respectively, ATN-1 and DEB-1. The localization and dynamics of ZYX-1 at dense bodies depend on the presence of ATN-1. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments revealed a high mobility of the ZYX-1 protein within muscle cells, in particular at dense bodies and M-lines, indicating a peripheral and dynamic association of ZYX-1 at these muscle adhesion structures. A portion of the ZYX-1 protein shuttles from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, suggesting a role for ZYX-1 in signal transduction. We provide evidence that the zyx-1 gene encodes two different isoforms, ZYX-1a and ZYX-1b, which exhibit different roles in dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration occurring in a C. elegans model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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31
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The atypical calpains: evolutionary analyses and roles in Caenorhabditis elegans cellular degeneration. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002602. [PMID: 22479198 PMCID: PMC3315469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 02/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The calpains are physiologically important Ca2+-activated regulatory proteases, which are divided into typical or atypical sub-families based on constituent domains. Both sub-families are present in mammals, but our understanding of calpain function is based primarily on typical sub-family members. Here, we take advantage of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, which expresses only atypical calpains, to extend our knowledge of the phylogenetic evolution and function of calpains. We provide evidence that a typical human calpain protein with a penta EF hand, detected using custom profile hidden Markov models, is conserved in ancient metazoans and a divergent clade. These analyses also provide evidence for the lineage-specific loss of typical calpain genes in C. elegans and Ciona, and they reveal that many calpain-like genes lack an intact catalytic triad. Given the association between the dysregulation of typical calpains and human degenerative pathologies, we explored the phenotypes, expression profiles, and consequences of inappropriate reduction or activation of C. elegans atypical calpains. These studies show that the atypical calpain gene, clp-1, contributes to muscle degeneration and reveal that clp-1 activity is sensitive to genetic manipulation of [Ca2+]i. We show that CLP-1 localizes to sarcomeric sub-structures, but is excluded from dense bodies (Z-disks). We find that the muscle degeneration observed in a C. elegans model of dystrophin-based muscular dystrophy can be suppressed by clp-1 inactivation and that nemadipine-A inhibition of the EGL-19 calcium channel reveals that Ca2+ dysfunction underlies the C. elegans MyoD model of myopathy. Taken together, our analyses highlight the roles of calcium dysregulation and CLP-1 in muscle myopathies and suggest that the atypical calpains could retain conserved roles in myofilament turnover. Calpains are calcium activated non-lysosomal proteases that cleave proteins with exquisite selectivity. Proteins can be activated by calpain cleavage, because they are released from inhibitory constraints, or they can be targeted for further degradation to facilitate their normal physiological turnover or to promote cellular remodelling. Inappropriate calpain activity can lead to degenerative pathologies and cancers. Our understanding of calpain function is based primarily on typical calpains, which carry EF hand motifs that bind Ca2+ or mediate dimerization; however, typical and atypical calpains, which lack EF hand motifs, are both present in mammals. Hence, any therapeutic intervention designed to suppress degenerative conditions, particularly those caused by elevated Ca2+ levels, should also consider the potential involvement of atypical calpains. We have taken advantage of the model organism C. elegans, which only encodes atypical calpain proteins, to gain an understanding of the evolution and activities of these proteins. We show that the CLP-1 atypical calpain is normally expressed in muscle and localizes to sarcomeric sub-structures. We find that CLP-1 contributes to the muscle degeneration observed in a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Our studies also highlight the importance of calcium dysregulation in promoting CLP-1 activity and muscle degeneration.
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32
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Buvoli M, Buvoli A, Leinwand LA. Effects of pathogenic proline mutations on myosin assembly. J Mol Biol 2011; 415:807-18. [PMID: 22155079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Revised: 11/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Laing distal myopathy (MPD1) is a genetically dominant myopathy characterized by early and selective weakness of the distal muscles. Mutations in the MYH7 gene encoding for the β-myosin heavy chain are the underlying genetic cause of MPD1. However, their pathogenic mechanisms are currently unknown. Here, we measure the biological effects of the R1500P and L1706P MPD1 mutations in different cellular systems. We show that, while the two mutations inhibit myosin self-assembly in non-muscle cells, they do not prevent incorporation of the mutant myosin into sarcomeres. Nevertheless, we find that the L1706P mutation affects proper antiparallel myosin association by accumulating in the bare zone of the sarcomere. Furthermore, bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay shows that the α-helix containing the R1500P mutation folds into homodimeric (mutant/mutant) and heterodimeric [mutant/wild type (WT)] myosin molecules that are competent for sarcomere incorporation. Both mutations also form aggregates consisting of cytoplasmic vacuoles surrounding paracrystalline arrays and amorphous rod-like inclusions that sequester WT myosin. Myosin aggregates were also detected in transgenic nematodes expressing the R1500P mutation. By showing that the two MPD1 mutations can have dominant effects on distinct components of the contractile apparatus, our data provide the first insights into the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Buvoli
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Biofrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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33
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Giacomotto J, Ségalat L, Carre-Pierrat M, Gieseler K. Caenorhabditis elegans as a chemical screening tool for the study o f neuromuscular disorders. Manual and semi-automated methods. Methods 2011; 56:103-13. [PMID: 22041718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2011] [Revised: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported the use of the cheap and fast-growing nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to search for molecules, which reduce muscle degeneration in a model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). We showed that Prednisone, a steroid that is generally prescribed as a palliative treatment to DMD patients, also reduced muscle degeneration in the C. elegans DMD model. We further showed that this strategy could lead to the discovery of new and unsuspected small molecules, which have been further validated in a mammalian model of DMD, i.e. the mdx mouse model. These proof-of-principles demonstrate that C. elegans can serve as a screening tool to search for drugs against neuromuscular disorders. Here, we report and discuss two methodologies used to screen chemical libraries for drugs against muscle disorders in C. elegans. We first describe a manual method used to find drugs against DMD. We further present a semi-automated method, which is currently in use for the search of drugs against the Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome (SJS). Both assays are simple to implement and can be readily transposed and/or adapted to screens against other muscle/neuromuscular diseases, which can be modeled in the worm. Finally we discuss, with respect to our experience and knowledge, the different parameters that have to be taken into account before choosing one or the other method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Giacomotto
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
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Sancar F, Touroutine D, Gao S, Oh HJ, Gendrel M, Bessereau JL, Kim H, Zhen M, Richmond JE. The dystrophin-associated protein complex maintains muscle excitability by regulating Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) (BK) channel localization. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:33501-10. [PMID: 21795674 PMCID: PMC3190934 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.227678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) consists of several transmembrane and intracellular scaffolding elements that have been implicated in maintaining the structure and morphology of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Genetic linkage analysis has identified loss-of-function mutations in DAPC genes that give rise to degenerative muscular dystrophies. Although much is known about the involvement of the DAPC in maintaining muscle integrity, less is known about the precise contribution of the DAPC in cell signaling events. To better characterize the functional role of the DAPC at the NMJ, we used electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescent labeling to directly assess cholinergic synaptic transmission, ion channel localization, and muscle excitability in loss-of-function (lf) mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans DAPC homologues. We found that all DAPC mutants consistently display mislocalization of the Ca(2+)-gated K(+) channel, SLO-1, in muscle cells, while ionotropic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) expression and localization at the NMJ remained unaltered. Synaptic cholinergic signaling was also not significantly impacted across DAPC(lf) mutants. Consistent with these findings and the postsynaptic mislocalization of SLO-1, we observed an increase in muscle excitability downstream of cholinergic signaling. Based on our results, we conclude that the DAPC is not involved in regulating AChR architecture at the NMJ, but rather functions to control muscle excitability, in an activity-dependent manner, through the proper localization of SLO-1 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feyza Sancar
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
| | - Denis Touroutine
- the Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Shangbang Gao
- the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Hyun J. Oh
- the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Marie Gendrel
- the Biology Department, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Superieure, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Bessereau
- the Biology Department, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Superieure, F-75005 Paris, France
- the Inserm, Unite 1024, F-75005 Paris, France, and
- the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unit e Mixte de Recherche 8197, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Hongkyun Kim
- the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine, North Chicago, Illinois 60064
| | - Mei Zhen
- the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Janet E. Richmond
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
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Abstract
The dystrophin protein complex, an important regulator of muscle membrane integrity, also maintains neural organization through interactions with the L1CAM family member SAX-7. The dystrophin protein complex (DPC), composed of dystrophin and associated proteins, is essential for maintaining muscle membrane integrity. The link between mutations in dystrophin and the devastating muscle failure of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been well established. Less well appreciated are the accompanying cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders also presented in many DMD patients, which suggest a wider role for dystrophin in membrane–cytoskeleton function. This study provides genetic evidence of a novel role for DYS-1/dystrophin in maintaining neural organization in Caenorhabditis elegans. This neuronal function is distinct from the established role of DYS-1/dystrophin in maintaining muscle integrity and regulating locomotion. SAX-7, an L1 cell adhesion molecule (CAM) homologue, and STN-2/γ-syntrophin also function to maintain neural integrity in C. elegans. This study provides biochemical data that show that SAX-7 associates with DYS-1 in an STN-2/γ-syntrophin–dependent manner. These results reveal a recruitment of L1CAMs to the DPC to ensure neural integrity is maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Aschner M, Levin ED, Suñol C, Olopade JO, Helmcke KJ, Avila DS, Sledge D, Ali RH, Upchurch L, Donerly S, Linney E, Forsby A, Ponnuru P, Connor JR. Gene-environment interactions: neurodegeneration in non-mammals and mammals. Neurotoxicology 2010; 31:582-8. [PMID: 20359493 PMCID: PMC2912949 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2010.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of how environmental exposures interact with genetics in central nervous system dysfunction has gained great momentum in the last decade. Seminal findings have been uncovered in both mammalian and non-mammalian model in large result of the extraordinary conservation of both genetic elements and differentiation processes between mammals and non-mammalians. Emerging model organisms, such as the nematode and zebrafish have made it possible to assess the effects of small molecules rapidly, inexpensively, and on a miniaturized scale. By combining the scale and throughput of in vitro screens with the physiological complexity and traditional animal studies, these models are providing relevant information on molecular events in the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. The utility of these models is largely driven by the functional conservation seen between them and higher organisms, including humans so that knowledge obtained using non-mammalian model systems can often provide a better understanding of equivalent processes, pathways, and mechanisms in man. Understanding the molecular events that trigger neurodegeneration has also greatly relied upon the use of tissue culture models. The purpose of this summary is to provide-state-of-the-art review of recent developments of non-mammalian experimental models and their utility in addressing issues pertinent to neurotoxicity (Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio). The synopses by Aschner and Levin summarize how genetic mutants of these species can be used to complement the understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with neurobehavioral toxicity and neurodegeneration. Next, studies by Suñol and Olopade detail the predictive value of cultures in assessing neurotoxicity. Suñol and colleagues summarize present novel information strategies based on in vitro toxicity assays that are predictive of cellular effects that can be extrapolated to effects on individuals. Olopade and colleagues describe cellular changes caused by sodium metavanadate (SMV) and demonstrate how rat primary astrocyte cultures can be used as predicitive tools to assess the neuroprotective effects of antidotes on vanadium-induced astrogliosis and demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Aschner
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Abstract
The simple nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has been instrumental in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis. Beyond apoptosis, several paradigms of non-apoptotic cell death, either genetically or extrinsically triggered, have also been described in C. elegans. Remarkably, non-apoptotic cell death in worms and pathological cell death in humans share numerous key features and mechanistic aspects. Such commonalities suggest that similarly to apoptosis, non-apoptotic cell death mechanisms are also conserved, and render the worm a useful organism, in which to model and dissect human pathologies. Indeed, the genetic malleability and the sophisticated molecular tools available for C. elegans have contributed decisively to advance our understanding of non-apoptotic cell death. Here, we review the literature on the various types of non-apoptotic cell death in C. elegans and discuss the implications, relevant to pathological conditions in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manolis Vlachos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Abstract
Current high-throughput screening methods for drug discovery rely on the existence of targets. Moreover, most of the hits generated during screenings turn out to be invalid after further testing in animal models. To by-pass these limitations, efforts are now being made to screen chemical libraries on whole animals. One of the most commonly used animal model in biology is the murine model Mus musculus. However, its cost limit its use in large-scale therapeutic screening. In contrast, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the fish Danio rerio are gaining momentum as screening tools. These organisms combine genetic amenability, low cost and culture conditions that are compatible with large-scale screens. Their main advantage is to allow high-throughput screening in a whole-animal context. Moreover, their use is not dependent on the prior identification of a target and permits the selection of compounds with an improved safety profile. This review surveys the versatility of these animal models for drug discovery and discuss the options available at this day.
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Lee AY, Perreault R, Harel S, Boulier EL, Suderman M, Hallett M, Jenna S. Searching for signaling balance through the identification of genetic interactors of the Rab guanine-nucleotide dissociation inhibitor gdi-1. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10624. [PMID: 20498707 PMCID: PMC2869356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2009] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The symptoms of numerous diseases result from genetic mutations that disrupt the homeostasis maintained by the appropriate integration of signaling gene activities. The relationships between signaling genes suggest avenues through which homeostasis can be restored and disease symptoms subsequently reduced. Specifically, disease symptoms caused by loss-of-function mutations in a particular gene may be reduced by concomitant perturbations in genes with antagonistic activities. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we use network-neighborhood analyses to predict genetic interactions in Caenorhabditis elegans towards mapping antagonisms and synergisms between genes in an animal model. Most of the predicted interactions are novel, and the experimental validation establishes that our approach provides a gain in accuracy compared to previous efforts. In particular, we identified genetic interactors of gdi-1, the orthologue of GDI1, a gene associated with mental retardation in human. Interestingly, some gdi-1 interactors have human orthologues with known neurological functions, and upon validation of the interactions in mammalian systems, these orthologues would be potential therapeutic targets for GDI1-associated neurological disorders. We also observed the conservation of a gdi-1 interaction between different cellular systems in C. elegans, suggesting the involvement of GDI1 in human muscle degeneration. Conclusions/Significance We developed a novel predictor of genetic interactions that may have the ability to significantly streamline the identification of therapeutic targets for monogenic disorders involving genes conserved between human and C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y. Lee
- McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- School of Computer Science, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Richard Perreault
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sharon Harel
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Elodie L. Boulier
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Matthew Suderman
- McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michael Hallett
- McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- School of Computer Science, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sarah Jenna
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Pharmaqam, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Biomed, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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40
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Sznitman J, Purohit PK, Krajacic P, Lamitina T, Arratia PE. Material properties of Caenorhabditis elegans swimming at low Reynolds number. Biophys J 2010; 98:617-26. [PMID: 20159158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2009] [Revised: 11/02/2009] [Accepted: 11/06/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Undulatory locomotion, as seen in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, is a common swimming gait of organisms in the low Reynolds number regime, where viscous forces are dominant. Although the nematode's motility is expected to be a strong function of its material properties, measurements remain scarce. Here, the swimming behavior of C. elegans is investigated in experiments and in a simple model. Experiments reveal that nematodes swim in a periodic fashion and generate traveling waves that decay from head to tail. The model is able to capture the experiments' main features and is used to estimate the nematode's Young's modulus E and tissue viscosity eta. For wild-type C. elegans, we find E approximately 3.77 kPa and eta approximately -860 Pa.s; values of eta for live C. elegans are negative because the tissue is generating rather than dissipating energy. Results show that material properties are sensitive to changes in muscle functional properties, and are useful quantitative tools with which to more accurately describe new and existing muscle mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sznitman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Abstract
AbstractThe nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a genetic model organism and the only animal with a complete nervous system wiring diagram. With only 302 neurons and 95 striated muscle cells, a rich array of mutants with defective locomotion and the facility for individual targeted gene knockdown by RNA interference, it lends itself to the exploration of gene function at nerve muscle junctions. With approximately 60% of human disease genes having a C. elegans homologue, there is growing interest in the deployment of lowcost, high-throughput, drug screens of nematode transgenic and mutant strains mimicking aspects of the pathology of devastating human neuromuscular disorders. Here we explore the contributions already made by C. elegans to our understanding of muscular dystrophies (Duchenne and Becker), spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich’s ataxia, inclusion body myositis and the prospects for contributions to other neuromuscular disorders. A bottleneck to low-cost, in vivo, large-scale chemical library screening for new candidate therapies has been rapid, automated, behavioural phenotyping. Recent progress in quantifying simple swimming (thrashing) movements is making such screening possible and is expediting the translation of drug candidates towards the clinic.
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Pilgram GSK, Potikanond S, Baines RA, Fradkin LG, Noordermeer JN. The roles of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex at the synapse. Mol Neurobiol 2009; 41:1-21. [PMID: 19899002 PMCID: PMC2840664 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-009-8089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2009] [Accepted: 10/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene and is characterized by progressive muscle wasting. A number of Duchenne patients also present with mental retardation. The dystrophin protein is part of the highly conserved dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) which accumulates at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and at a variety of synapses in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Many years of research into the roles of the DGC in muscle have revealed its structural function in stabilizing the sarcolemma. In addition, the DGC also acts as a scaffold for various signaling pathways. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding DGC roles in the nervous system, gained from studies in both vertebrate and invertebrate model systems. From these studies, it has become clear that the DGC is important for the maturation of neurotransmitter receptor complexes and for the regulation of neurotransmitter release at the NMJ and central synapses. Furthermore, roles for the DGC have been established in consolidation of long-term spatial and recognition memory. The challenges ahead include the integration of the behavioral and mechanistic studies and the use of this information to identify therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonneke S K Pilgram
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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Krajacic P, Hermanowski J, Lozynska O, Khurana TS, Lamitina T. C. elegans dysferlin homolog fer-1 is expressed in muscle, and fer-1 mutations initiate altered gene expression of muscle enriched genes. Physiol Genomics 2009; 40:8-14. [PMID: 19755517 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00106.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human dysferlin gene cause Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B). The Caenorhabditis elegans dysferlin homolog, fer-1, affects sperms development but is not known to be expressed in or have a functional roles outside of the male germline. Using several approaches, we show that fer-1 mRNA is present in C. elegans muscle cells but is absent from neurons. In mammals, loss of muscle-expressed dysferlin causes transcriptional deregulation of muscle expressed genes. To determine if similar alterations in gene expression are initiated in C. elegans due to loss of muscle-expressed fer-1, we performed whole genome Affymetrix microarray analysis of two loss-of-function fer-1 mutants. Both mutants gave rise to highly similar changes in gene expression and altered the expression of 337 genes. Using multiple analysis methods, we show that this gene set is enriched for genes known to regulate the structure and function of muscle. However, these transcriptional changes do not appear to be in response to gross sarcomeric damage, since genetically sensitized fer-1 mutants exhibit normal thin filament organization. Our data suggest that processes other than sarcomere stability may be affected by loss of fer-1 in C. elegans muscle. Therefore, C. elegans may be an attractive model system in which to explore new muscle-specific functions of the dysferlin protein and gain insights into the molecular pathogenesis of LGMD2B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Krajacic
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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44
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Levin ED, Aschner M, Heberlein U, Ruden D, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Bartlett S, Berger K, Chen L, Corl AB, Eddins D, French R, Hayden KM, Helmcke K, Hirsch HVB, Linney E, Lnenicka G, Page GP, Possidente D, Possidente B, Kirshner A. Genetic aspects of behavioral neurotoxicology. Neurotoxicology 2009; 30:741-53. [PMID: 19647018 PMCID: PMC4086839 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2009] [Revised: 07/21/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made over the past couple of decades concerning the molecular bases of neurobehavioral function and dysfunction. The field of neurobehavioral genetics is becoming mature. Genetic factors contributing to neurologic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease have been found and evidence for genetic factors contributing to other diseases such as schizophrenia and autism are likely. This genetic approach can also benefit the field of behavioral neurotoxicology. It is clear that there is substantial heterogeneity of response with behavioral impairments resulting from neurotoxicants. Many factors contribute to differential sensitivity, but it is likely that genetic variability plays a prominent role. Important discoveries concerning genetics and behavioral neurotoxicity are being made on a broad front from work with invertebrate and piscine mutant models to classic mouse knockout models and human epidemiologic studies of polymorphisms. Discovering genetic factors of susceptibility to neurobehavioral toxicity not only helps identify those at special risk, it also advances our understanding of the mechanisms by which toxicants impair neurobehavioral function in the larger population. This symposium organized by Edward Levin and Annette Kirshner, brought together researchers from the laboratories of Michael Aschner, Douglas Ruden, Ulrike Heberlein, Edward Levin and Kathleen Welsh-Bohmer conducting studies with Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, fish, rodents and humans studies to determine the role of genetic factors in susceptibility to behavioral impairment from neurotoxic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.
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45
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Giacomotto J, Pertl C, Borrel C, Walter MC, Bulst S, Johnsen B, Baillie DL, Lochmüller H, Thirion C, Ségalat L. Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in two animal models of dystrophin deficient muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:4089-101. [PMID: 19648295 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited muscle degeneration disease for which there is still no efficient treatment. However, compounds active on the disease may already exist among approved drugs but are difficult to identify in the absence of cellular models. We used the Caenorhabditis elegans animal model to screen a collection of 1000 already approved compounds. Two of the most active hits obtained were methazolamide and dichlorphenamide, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors widely used in human therapy. In C. elegans, these drugs were shown to interact with CAH-4, a putative carbonic anhydrase. The therapeutic efficacy of these compounds was further validated in long-term experiments on mdx mice, the mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mice were treated for 120 days with food containing methazolamide or dichlorphenamide at two doses each. Musculus tibialis anterior and diaphragm muscles were histologically analyzed and isometric muscle force was measured in M. extensor digitorum longus. Both substances increased the tetanic muscle force in the treated M. extensor digitorum longus muscle group, dichlorphenamide increased the force significantly by 30%, but both drugs failed to increase resistance of muscle fibres to eccentric contractions. Histological analysis revealed a reduction of centrally nucleated fibers in M. tibialis anterior and diaphragm in the treated groups. These studies further demonstrated that a C. elegans-based screen coupled with a mouse model validation strategy can lead to the identification of potential pharmacological agents for rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Giacomotto
- Centre de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR 5534, Université Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
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46
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Leung MCK, Williams PL, Benedetto A, Au C, Helmcke KJ, Aschner M, Meyer JN. Caenorhabditis elegans: an emerging model in biomedical and environmental toxicology. Toxicol Sci 2008; 106:5-28. [PMID: 18566021 PMCID: PMC2563142 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfn121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 662] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2008] [Accepted: 06/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as an important animal model in various fields including neurobiology, developmental biology, and genetics. Characteristics of this animal model that have contributed to its success include its genetic manipulability, invariant and fully described developmental program, well-characterized genome, ease of maintenance, short and prolific life cycle, and small body size. These same features have led to an increasing use of C. elegans in toxicology, both for mechanistic studies and high-throughput screening approaches. We describe some of the research that has been carried out in the areas of neurotoxicology, genetic toxicology, and environmental toxicology, as well as high-throughput experiments with C. elegans including genome-wide screening for molecular targets of toxicity and rapid toxicity assessment for new chemicals. We argue for an increased role for C. elegans in complementing other model systems in toxicological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell C. K. Leung
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27750
| | - Phillip L. Williams
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Alexandre Benedetto
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Catherine Au
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Kirsten J. Helmcke
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Joel N. Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27750
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47
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Fox RM, Watson JD, Von Stetina SE, McDermott J, Brodigan TM, Fukushige T, Krause M, Miller DM. The embryonic muscle transcriptome of Caenorhabditis elegans. Genome Biol 2008; 8:R188. [PMID: 17848203 PMCID: PMC2375026 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2007-8-9-r188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Accepted: 09/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence activated cell sorting and microarray profiling were used to identify 1,312 expressed genes that are enriched in myo-3::GFP-positive muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans. Background The force generating mechanism of muscle is evolutionarily ancient; the fundamental structural and functional components of the sarcomere are common to motile animals throughout phylogeny. Recent evidence suggests that the transcription factors that regulate muscle development are also conserved. Thus, a comprehensive description of muscle gene expression in a simple model organism should define a basic muscle transcriptome that is also found in animals with more complex body plans. To this end, we applied microarray profiling of Caenorhabtidis elegans cells (MAPCeL) to muscle cell populations extracted from developing C. elegans embryos. Results We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate myo-3::green fluorescent protein (GFP) positive muscle cells, and their cultured derivatives, from dissociated early C. elegans embryos. Microarray analysis identified 7,070 expressed genes, 1,312 of which are enriched in the myo-3::GFP positive cell population relative to the average embryonic cell. The muscle enriched gene set was validated by comparisons with known muscle markers, independently derived expression data, and GFP reporters in transgenic strains. These results confirm the utility of MAPCeL for cell type specific expression profiling and reveal that 60% of these transcripts have human homologs. Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive description of gene expression in developing C. elegans embryonic muscle cells. The finding that more than half of these muscle enriched transcripts encode proteins with human homologs suggests that mutant analysis of these genes in C. elegans could reveal evolutionarily conserved models of muscle gene function, with ready application to human muscle pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Fox
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232-8240, USA
- Current address: Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joseph D Watson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232-8240, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA
| | - Stephen E Von Stetina
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232-8240, USA
| | - Joan McDermott
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 5, Room B1-04, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Thomas M Brodigan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 5, Room B1-04, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tetsunari Fukushige
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 5, Room B1-04, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael Krause
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 5, Room B1-04, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David M Miller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232-8240, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA
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Taghli-Lamallem O, Akasaka T, Hogg G, Nudel U, Yaffe D, Chamberlain JS, Ocorr K, Bodmer R. Dystrophin deficiency in Drosophila reduces lifespan and causes a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype. Aging Cell 2008; 7:237-49. [PMID: 18221418 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2008.00367.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies have been conducted recently on the model organism Drosophila to determine the function of genes involved in human disease, including those implicated in neurological disorders, cancer and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The simple structure and physiology of the Drosophila heart tube together with the available genetics provide a suitable in vivo assay system for studying cardiac gene functions. In our study, we focus on analysis of the role of dystrophin (Dys) in heart physiology. As in humans, the Drosophila dys gene encodes multiple isoforms, of which the large isoforms (DLPs) and a truncated form (Dp117) are expressed in the adult heart. Here, we show that the loss of dys function in the heart leads to an age-dependent disruption of the myofibrillar organization within the myocardium as well as to alterations in cardiac performance. dys RNAi-mediated knockdown in the mesoderm also shortens lifespan. Knockdown of all or deletion of the large isoforms increases the heart rate by shortening the diastolic intervals (relaxation phase) of the cardiac cycle. Morphologically, loss of the large DLPs isoforms causes a widening of the cardiac tube and a lower fractional shortening, a phenotype reminiscent of dilated cardiomyopathy. The dilated dys mutant phenotype was reversed by expressing a truncated mammalian form of dys (Dp116). Our results illustrate the utility of Drosophila as a model system to study dilated cardiomyopathy and other muscular-dystrophy-associated phenotypes.
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MESH Headings
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/mortality
- Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drosophila/embryology
- Drosophila/genetics
- Drosophila/metabolism
- Drosophila Proteins/analysis
- Drosophila Proteins/genetics
- Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
- Dystrophin/deficiency
- Dystrophin/genetics
- Heart Defects, Congenital/mortality
- Heart Defects, Congenital/pathology
- Heart Defects, Congenital/physiopathology
- Heart Rate
- Longevity/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/congenital
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/physiopathology
- Myocardial Contraction
- Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology
- Myofibrils/genetics
- Myofibrils/pathology
- Phenotype
- Protein Isoforms
- Sequence Deletion
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouarda Taghli-Lamallem
- Development and Aging Program, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, 10901 North Torrey Pines Rd, Building 7, Room 7125, La Jolla, Ca 92037, USA
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49
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Ervasti JM, Sonnemann KJ. Biology of the striated muscle dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2008; 265:191-225. [PMID: 18275889 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(07)65005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Since its first description in 1990, the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex has emerged as a critical nexus for human muscular dystrophies arising from defects in a variety of distinct genes. Studies in mammals widely support a primary role for the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in mechanical stabilization of the plasma membrane in striated muscle and provide hints for secondary functions in organizing molecules involved in cellular signaling. Studies in model organisms confirm the importance of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex for muscle cell viability and have provided new leads toward a full understanding of its secondary roles in muscle biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Ervasti
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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50
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Sparrow J, Hughes SM, Segalat L. Other model organisms for sarcomeric muscle diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 642:192-206. [PMID: 19181102 PMCID: PMC3360967 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-84847-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Model organisms are vital to our understanding of human muscle biology and disease. The potential of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster and the zebrafish, Danio rerio, as model genetic organisms for the study of human muscle disease is discussed by examining their muscle biology, muscle genetics and development. The powerful genetic tools available with each organism are outlined. It is concluded that these organisms have already demonstrated potential in facilitating the study of muscle disease and in screening for therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sparrow
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO1 5DD, UK. Tel: 44-1904-328675; Fax: 44-1904-328825;
| | - Simon M. Hughes
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics and MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, New Hunt’s House, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL. Tel: 44-20 7848 6445; Fax: 44-7848 6435;
| | - Laurent Segalat
- CNRS-CGMC, Universite Lyon-1 Claude Bernard, Batiment Mendel, 43 bld du 11 Novembre, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. Tel: 33-4-72-43-29-51; Fax: 33-4-72-43-29-51;
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